We’ve been talking to all kinds of folks in attendance of this weekend’s inaugural F1 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, about what they think of F1, but some of our favorite conversations were held with servicemen and women lending a hand at the track. As best we can identify, there are three key branches of law enforcement and safety teams at the race: Police, EMTs and first responders, and the National Guard. The three groups are all working together to make sure the race weekend in Austin goes off without a hitch for spectators and racers alike.

The group that first caught our attention—or rather, the group’s car that most tickled our fancy—was the National Guard with their collection of camouflaged Humvees and decked-out side-by-side off-roaders. We chatted with a few of the soldiers, and learned that they are there mainly to provide support to local law enforcement and to direct foot and car traffic, as directed by Texas’s governor. The soldiers are unarmed (only sheriffs and police are strapped within the confines of the circuit), apparently in an effort to avoid intimidating race fans. One soldier, however, jovially pointed out the irony of being dressed in full fatigues and driving Hummers when they’re supposed to be setting people’s minds at ease. Regardless, the same soldier told us that many, many foreign race fans are eagerly seeking photo ops with him and his fellow National Guardsmen, and that they’re excited to see American soldiers up close and in person. The Humvees are a big hit, too.

A firefighter from a local department enlightened us as to the extent of the Circuit of the Americas’ on-hand firefighting capability, and it’s nothing if not impressive. The track is big—nearly 3.5 miles in length—and as such, we’re told that seven local municipalities, plus the city of Austin, are contributing firefighters and equipment to the track’s festivities. There are four “bush trucks” (like the rig pictured above) located along the track’s perimeter, while three larger class-A pumper engines have taken up residence in the parking lot, pit lane, and infield. Seven ambulances are on hand, plus an emergency helicopter, and there are a ton of EMT-driven side-by-sides and ATVs roaming the grounds. Mercedes-AMG might have F1’s safety-car game locked up, but BMW has provided some medical-assistance vehicles for the race; a sport package–equipped X5 and 5-series are on hand, and a firefighter told us that each car is staffed by a doctor, an EMT, and a “driver with motorsports training.” Bad ass.

A local sheriff and an EMT both reiterated the sentiments of the firefighters and National Guard members—they’re at the track to keep everything on an even keel. Another thing most of the folks we spoke with had in common: F1 is new to them. One of the soldiers had heard of F1, but never really followed it; the sheriff “didn’t really know what the big deal was;” and for one EMT, this was her first time even hearing about F1. Everyone agreed that seeing the cars in person brought unexpected intrigue—especially for those who had seen F1 races on TV. The Sheriff summed things up nicely: “The cars look a lot faster in person, much louder, too.” We agree, and we hope the allure of seeing and hearing the cars takes hold in more than just the men and women in uniform here in Austin.